Netgear Nighthawk RS400 User manual

User Manual

Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi

Router

Model RS400

NETGEAR, Inc.

350 E. Plumeria DriveJuly 2019

San Jose, CA 95134, USA202-11963-02

Support

Thank you for purchasing this NETGEAR product.

You can visit https://www.netgear.com/support/ to register your product, get help,

access the latest downloads and user manuals, and join our community. We recommend

that you use only official NETGEAR support resources.

Contact your Internet service provider for technical support.

Trademarks

©NETGEAR, Inc. NETGEAR and the NETGEAR Logo are trademarks of NETGEAR, Inc.

Any non-NETGEAR trademarks are used for reference purposes only.

Compliance and Conformity

For regulatory compliance information, visit https://www.netgear.com/about/regulatory/.

See the regulatory compliance document before connecting the power supply.

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Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

Contents

Chapter 1 Hardware Setup

Unpack your router.............................................................................10

Attach the antennas............................................................................10

LEDs and buttons on the top panel.................................................11

Rear panel............................................................................................12

Router label and QR Code label.......................................................13

Position your router............................................................................14

Cable your router...............................................................................15

Chapter 2 Connect to the Router’s Network and Automatically Set

Up the Internet Connection

Connect to the network.....................................................................18

Connect to the network using a wired connection....................18

Find and connect to the WiFi network........................................18

WiFi connection using WPS..........................................................18

Types of logins....................................................................................19

Use a web browser to access the router..........................................19

Use a web browser to set up the router’s Internet connection

automatically...................................................................................20

Log in to the router........................................................................22

Change the language........................................................................23

Install and manage your router with the Nighthawk app..............24

Chapter 3 Specify Your Internet Settings

Use the Internet Setup Wizard..........................................................26

Manually set up the Internet connection.........................................26

Specify an Internet connection without a login..........................26

Specify an Internet connection that uses a login and PPPoE

service..............................................................................................28

Specify an Internet connection that uses a login and PPTP or L2TP

service..............................................................................................29

Specify IPv6 Internet connections....................................................31

Requirements for entering IPv6 addresses.................................32

Use Auto Detect for an IPv6 Internet connection......................32

Set up an IPv6 6to4 tunnel Internet connection.........................33

Set up an IPv6 pass-through Internet connection......................35

3

Set up a fixed IPv6 Internet connection......................................35

Set up an IPv6 DHCP Internet connection..................................36

Set up an IPv6 PPPoE Internet connection..................................38

Use Auto Config for an IPv6 Internet connection......................40

Set up an IPv6 6rd tunnel connection.........................................41

Manage the MTU size.........................................................................43

MTU concepts.................................................................................43

Change the MTU size....................................................................44

Chapter 4 Control Access to the Internet

Manage NETGEAR Armor.................................................................46

Activate Armor using the Nighthawk app...................................46

View or change your NETGEAR Armor settings using the

Nighthawk app...............................................................................46

View or change your NETGEAR Armor settings from the Armor

portal...............................................................................................47

Sign in to NETGEAR Armor from the router web interface and

start your subscription...................................................................47

Access the NETGEAR Armor portal from the router web

interface..........................................................................................48

Disable or Reenable NETGEAR Armor from the router web

interface..........................................................................................48

Enable Circle with Disney..................................................................49

Enable Circle with Disney using the Nighthawk app................50

Enable Circle with Disney using the Circle app.........................50

Enable access control to allow or block access to the Internet....51

Manage network access control lists...............................................52

Use keywords to block Internet sites...............................................53

Delete keywords from the blocked list............................................54

Prevent blocking on a trusted computer.........................................54

Block services from the Internet.......................................................55

Schedule when to block Internet sites and services......................56

Set up security event email notifications.........................................57

Chapter 5 Optimize Performance

Use Dynamic QoS to optimize Internet traffic management........60

Enable Dynamic QoS.....................................................................60

Enable or disable the automatic QoS database update...........61

Manually update the Dynamic QoS database............................61

Wi-Fi Multimedia Quality of Service.................................................62

Improve network connections with Universal Plug and Play........63

Enable or disable Smart Connect.....................................................64

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Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

Chapter 6 Manage Network Settings

View or change the WAN settings....................................................67

Set up a default DMZ server..............................................................68

Change the LAN TCP/IP settings......................................................69

Change the router’s device name....................................................70

Specify the IP addresses that the router assigns............................71

Disable the DHCP server feature in the router...............................72

Manage reserved LAN IP addresses................................................73

Reserve an IP address....................................................................73

Edit a reserved IP address............................................................74

Delete a reserved IP address entry..............................................75

Set up the router as a WiFi access point..........................................75

Set up the router in bridge mode....................................................76

Return the router to router mode.....................................................78

Set up a bridge for a port group or VLAN tag group....................78

Set up a bridge for a port group..................................................79

Set up a bridge for a VLAN tag group........................................80

Manage custom static routes............................................................81

Set up a static route.......................................................................82

Edit a static route...........................................................................83

Delete a static route.......................................................................83

Chapter 7 Manage the WiFi Network Settings

Use the WPS Wizard for WiFi connections......................................86

Specify basic WiFi settings................................................................86

Change the WiFi password or the WiFi security.............................88

Set up WPA/WPA2 enterprise WiFi security...................................90

Set up WEP legacy WiFi security......................................................92

Change the WiFi Mbps settings.......................................................94

Change the transmission power of the WiFi radios.......................95

Set up a guest WiFi network.............................................................96

Control the WiFi radios......................................................................98

Use the WiFi On/Off button..........................................................99

Enable or disable the WiFi radios................................................99

Set up a WiFi schedule.......................................................................99

Manage WPS settings......................................................................100

Enable or disable implicit beamforming.......................................102

Enable or disable airtime fairness..................................................102

Enable or disable MU-MIMO..........................................................103

Manage advanced WiFi settings....................................................104

Chapter 8 Manage Your Router

Update the router firmware............................................................107

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Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

Check for new firmware and update the router......................107

Manage the firmware update settings......................................108

Manually upload firmware to the router...................................108

Change the admin password..........................................................109

Enable admin password recovery..................................................110

Recover the admin password.........................................................111

Manage the router configuration file.............................................111

Back up the settings....................................................................112

Restore the settings.....................................................................112

View information about the router and the Internet and WiFi

settings...............................................................................................113

Display the statistics of the Internet port.......................................114

Check the Internet connection status............................................115

View and manage logs of router activity.......................................116

View devices currently on the network..........................................117

Monitor, meter, and control Internet traffic..................................118

Start the traffic meter without traffic restrictions......................118

Restrict Internet traffic by volume..............................................119

Restrict Internet traffic by connection time...............................120

View the Internet traffic volume and statistics..........................121

Unblock the traffic meter after the traffic limit is reached......122

Set your time zone............................................................................122

Change the NTP server....................................................................123

Disable LED blinking or turn off LEDs............................................124

Return the router to its factory default settings............................124

Use the Reset button...................................................................125

Erase the settings.........................................................................125

Chapter 9 Share USB Storage Devices Attached to the Router

USB device requirements................................................................128

Connect a USB storage device to the router................................128

Access a storage device connected to the router........................129

Access a storage device connected to the router from a

Windows-based computer.........................................................129

Map a USB device to a Windows network drive......................129

Access a storage device that is connected to the router from a

Mac................................................................................................130

Back up Windows-based computers with ReadySHARE Vault....131

Enable FTP access within your network.........................................132

View network folders on a storage device....................................132

Add a network folder on a USB storage device...........................133

Edit a network folder on a USB storage device............................134

Approve a USB storage device.......................................................135

Remotely access a USB device using ReadyCLOUD...................136

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Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

Create a ReadyCLOUD account................................................136

Register your router with ReadyCLOUD...................................137

Safely remove a USB storage device.............................................138

Chapter 10 Use VPN to Access Your Network

Set up a VPN connection.................................................................140

Manage Dynamic DNS for VPN connections................................140

Set up a new Dynamic DNS account.........................................140

Specify a DNS account that you already created.....................141

Change the Dynamic DNS settings...........................................142

Enable and configure OpenVPN on the router............................143

Install OpenVPN software...............................................................144

Install the OpenVPN client utility and VPN configuration files on

a Windows-based computer......................................................144

Install the OpenVPN client utility and VPN configuration files on

a Mac.............................................................................................146

Install the OpenVPN client utility and VPN configuration files on

an iOS device...............................................................................147

Install the OpenVPN client utility and VPN configuration files on

an Android device.......................................................................148

LAN requirements for VPN connections.......................................149

Use a VPN tunnel on a Windows-based computer......................149

Use VPN to access your Internet service at home........................150

Allow VPN clients full Internet access........................................150

Use a VPN tunnel to access your Internet service at home....151

Block Internet access for VPN clients........................................151

Chapter 11 Manage Port Forwarding and Port Triggering Traffic

Rules

Manage port forwarding to a local server for services and

applications.......................................................................................154

Forward incoming traffic for a default service or application.154

Add a port forwarding rule for a custom service or

application....................................................................................155

Change a port forwarding rule..................................................157

Remove a port forwarding rule..................................................157

Application example: Make a local web server public...........158

How the router implements a port forwarding rule................159

Manage port triggering for services and applications................159

Add a port triggering rule..........................................................160

Change a port triggering rule....................................................161

Specify the time-out for port triggering....................................162

Disable port triggering...............................................................163

Remove a port triggering rule....................................................163

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Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

Application example: Port triggering for Internet Relay Chat.164

Chapter 12 Troubleshooting

Quick tips...........................................................................................167

Sequence to restart your network.............................................167

Check the power adapter and Ethernet cable connections...167

Check the WiFi settings..............................................................167

Check the network settings........................................................167

Troubleshoot with the LEDs............................................................168

Standard LED behavior when the router is powered on........168

Power LED is off or blinking.......................................................168

LEDs never turn off......................................................................168

Internet or Ethernet LAN port LEDs are off..............................169

WiFi LEDs are off..........................................................................169

You cannot log in to the router.......................................................169

Resolve a browser security warning...............................................170

Google Chrome: add a security exception..............................171

Apple Safari: add a security exception.....................................172

Mozilla Firefox: add a security exception.................................172

Microsoft Internet Explorer: add a security exception............173

Microsoft Edge: add a security exception................................174

You cannot access the Internet.......................................................175

Troubleshoot Internet browsing.....................................................177

Changes are not saved....................................................................177

Troubleshoot WiFi connectivity......................................................177

Troubleshoot your network using the ping utility........................178

Test the LAN path to your router...............................................178

Test the path from a Windows-based computer to a remote

device............................................................................................179

Appendix A Supplemental Information

Factory settings.................................................................................182

Technical specifications...................................................................183

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Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

1

Hardware Setup

The NETGEAR Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400 comes with

NETGEAR Armor built-in and includes a 3-year NETGEAR Armor subscription.

NETGEAR Armor protects your connected home from Internet threats and provides

best-in-class anti-virus and data theft protection for all of your smartphones and

computers, with an unlimited number of devices covered.

This chapter contains the following sections:

• Unpack your router

• Attach the antennas

• LEDs and buttons on the top panel

• Rear panel

• Router label and QR Code label

• Position your router

• Cable your router

For more information about the topics covered in this manual, visit the support website

at netgear.com/support/.

9

Unpack your router

Figure 1. Package contents

Your package contains following:

•

NETGEAR Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router

•

Three Antennas

•

Power adapter (varies by region)

•

Yellow Ethernet cable

•

Quick start guide

Attach the antennas

The router comes with three antennas.

To attach the antennas:

1.

Remove the antenna caps from the antenna posts on the router.

2. Align the antennas with the antenna posts on the router.

3. Attach the antennas on the threaded antenna posts.

4.

Position the antennas for the best WiFi performance.

User Manual10Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

45° 45°

We recommend that the center antenna be vertical and that you aim the others

outward at 45-degree angles, as shown.

LEDs and buttons on the top panel

The status LEDs and buttons are located on the top of the router.

Table 1. LED and button descriptions

DescriptionsLEDs and Buttons

Solid amber. The router is starting.

Blinking amber. The firmware is upgrading, or the Reset button was pressed.

Solid white. The router is ready.

Blinking white. The firmware is corrupted.

Off. Power is not supplied to the router.

Power

Solid white. The Internet connection is ready.

Solid amber. The router detected an Ethernet cable connection to the modem.

Blinking white. The port is sending or receiving traffic.

Off. No Ethernet cable is connected between the router and the modem.

Internet

Solid white. The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is operating.

Blinking white. The router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic.

Off. The 2.4 GHz WiFi radio is off.

2.4 GHz WiFi

Solid white. The 5 GHz WiFi radio is operating.

Blinking white. The router is sending or receiving WiFi traffic.

Off. The 5 GHz WiFi radio is off.

5 GHz WiFi

Solid white. A USB storage device is connected and is ready.

Blinking white. A USB storagedevice is plugged in and is trying to connect.

Off. No USB storagedevice is connected, or someone clicked the Safely Remove

Hardware button and it is now safe to remove the attached USB storage device.

USB 3.0 (front panel)

Solid white. A USB device is connected and is ready.

Blinking white. A USB device is plugged in and is trying to connect.

Off. No USB device is connected, or someone clicked the Safely Remove Hardware

button and it is now safe to remove the attached USB device.

USB 2.0 (rear panel)

User Manual11Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

Table 1. LED and button descriptions (Continued)

DescriptionsLEDs and Buttons

The LED color indicates the speed: white for Gigabit Ethernet connections and amber for

100 Mbps or 10 Mbps Ethernet connections.

Solid white or solid amber. A powered-on device is connected to the Ethernet port.

Blinking white or blinking amber. The port is sending or receiving traffic.

Off. No device is connected to this Ethernet port.

LAN ports 1–4

Pressing this button for two seconds turns the 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz WiFi radios on and off.

If this LED is solid white, the WiFi radios are on. If this LED is off, the WiFi radios are turned

off and you cannot use WiFi to connect to the router.

WiFi On/Off button

with LED

This button lets you use WPS to join the WiFi network without typing the WiFi password.

The WPS LED blinks white during this process and then lights solid white.

WPS button with LED

Rear panel

The following figure shows the rear panel connectors and buttons.

Figure 2. Router rear panel

User Manual12Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

In addition to the three antenna connectors, viewed from left to right, the rear panel

contains the following components:

•

Reset button. Pressing the Reset button resets the router. If you press the Reset

button for at least 10 seconds, the Power LED blinks amber and the router returns

to its factory settings.

•

LAN ports. Four Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 LAN ports to connect the router to LAN

devices.

•

Internet port. One Gigabit Ethernet RJ-45 WAN port to connect the router to an

Internet modem such as a cable modem or DSL modem.

•

USB 2.0 port. One USB 2.0 port to connect the router to a USB storage device that

does not require a USB 3.0 connection.

Note: The USB 3.0 port is on the front panel. You can use the USB 3.0 port to connect

the router to a USB storage device.

•

Power On/Off button. Press the Power On/Off button to provide power to the

router.

•

DC power connector. Connect the power adapter that came with your router to

the DC power connector.

Router label and QR Code label

The router label on the bottom panel lists the login information, WiFi network name

(SSID) and password (network key), serial number, and MAC address of the router.

Figure 3. Router label

User Manual13Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

The QR code label is on the top panel.

Your Preset Wireless Settings

WiFi Network Name (SSID):

Network Key (Password):

Your Preset Wireless Settings

WiFi Network Name (SSID):

Network Key (Password):

Figure 4. QR code label location

Position your router

The router lets you access your network anywhere within the operating range of your

WiFi network. However, the operating distance or range of your WiFi connection can

vary significantly depending on the physical placement of your router.

In addition, position your router according to the following guidelines:

•

Place your router near the center of the area where your computers and other devices

operate, and within line of sight to your WiFi devices.

•

Make sure that the router is within reach of an AC power outlet and near Ethernet

cables for wired computers.

•

Place the router in an elevated location, minimizing the number walls and ceilings

between the router and your other devices.

•

Place the router away from electrical devices such as these:

-

Ceiling fans

- Home security systems

- Microwaves

- Computers

-

Base of a cordless phone

- 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz cordless phones

User Manual14Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

•

Place the router away from large metal surfaces, large glass surfaces, insulated walls,

and items such as these:

- Solid metal door

- Aluminum studs

- Fish tanks

- Mirrors

- Brick

- Concrete

The following factors might limit the range of your WiFi:

•

The thickness and number of walls the WiFi signal passes through can limit the range.

•

Other WiFi access points in and around your home might affect your router’s signal.

WiFi access points are routers, repeaters, WiFi range extenders, and any other

devices that emit a WiFi signal for network access.

Cable your router

The following figure shows how to can cable your router.

45° 45°

Figure 5. Cable your router

User Manual15Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

To cable your router:

1.

Unplug your modem’s power, leaving the modem connected to the wall jack for

your Internet service.

If your modem uses a battery backup, remove the battery.

2. Plug in and turn on your modem.

If your modem uses a battery backup, put the battery back in.

3.

Connect your modem to the Internet port of your router with the yellow Ethernet

cable that came with your router.

4. Connect the power adapter to your router and plug the power adapter into an outlet.

5.

Press the Power On/Off button on the back panel of the router.

User Manual16Hardware Setup

Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

2

Connect to the Router’s Network

and Automatically Set Up the

Internet Connection

You can connect to the router’s WiFi networks or use a wired Ethernet connection. This

chapter explains the ways you can connect, how to access the router and log in, and

how to automatically set up the Internet connection.

The chapter contains the following sections:

• Connect to the network

• Types of logins

• Use a web browser to access the router

• Change the language

• Install and manage your router with the Nighthawk app

17

Connect to the network

You can connect to the router’s network through a wired or WiFi connection. If you set

up your computer to use a static IP address, change the settings so that it uses Dynamic

Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP).

Connect to the network using a wired connection

You can connect your computer to the router using an Ethernet cable and join the

router’s local area network (LAN).

To connect your computer to the router with an Ethernet cable:

1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).

2. Connect an Ethernet cable to an Ethernet port on your computer.

3.

Connect the other end of the Ethernet cable a LAN port on the router.

Your computer connects to the local area network (LAN).

Find and connect to the WiFi network

Note: If you use a smartphone or tablet, you can scan the QR code on therouter to join

its WiFi network. You can also use the following procedure.

To find and connect to the WiFi network:

1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).

2.

On your computer or WiFi device, find and select the WiFi network.

The preset WiFi network name is on the router label. If you customized the WiFi

network name, use your new WiFi network name.

3. Join the WiFi network and enter the WiFi password.

The preset WiFi password is on the router label. If you customized the WiFi password,

use your new WiFi password.

Your device connects to the WiFi network.

WiFi connection using WPS

You can connect your WPS-enabled device to the router’s WiFi network with Wi-Fi

Protected Setup (WPS) or you can find and select the WiFi network.

User Manual18Connect to the Router’s Network

and Automatically Set Up the

Internet Connection

Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

To use WPS to connect to the WiFi network:

1. Make sure that the router is receiving power (its Power LED is lit).

2.

Check the WPS instructions for your WPS-enabled device.

3. Press the WPS button on the router.

4.

Within two minutes, on your WPS-enabled device, press its WPS button or follow

its instructions for WPS connections.

Your WPS-enabled device connects to the WiFi network.

Types of logins

Separate types of logins serve different purposes. It is important that you understand

the differences so that you know which login to use when.

Several types of logins are associated with the router:

•

ISP login. The login that your Internet service provider (ISP) gave you logs you in to

your Internet service. Your ISP gave you this login information in a letter or some

other way. If you cannot find this login information, contact your ISP.

•

WiFi network key, WiFi passphrase, or WiFi password. Your router is preset with

a unique WiFi network name (SSID) and password for WiFi access. This information

is on the router label.

•

NETGEAR account login. The NETGEAR account email address and password that

you must enter to log in to the router when you use a web browser to access the

router and the router is connected to the Internet. You can also use your NETGEAR

account to register your router and manage your subscriptions. If you do not own a

free NETGEAR account, you can create one.

•

Router login. The router login password that you must enter to log in to the router

with the admin user name when you use a web browser to access the router and the

router is not connected to the Internet.

Note: If your router is connected to the Internet, use the NETGEAR account email

address and password to log in to the router. If your router is not connected to the

Internet, use the admin user name and router login password to log in to the router.

Use a web browser to access the router

When you connect to the network (either with WiFi or with an Ethernet cable), you can

use a web browser to access the router to view or change its settings. When you access

User Manual19Connect to the Router’s Network

and Automatically Set Up the

Internet Connection

Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

the router, the software automatically checks to see if your router can connect to your

Internet service.

Use a web browser to set up the router’s Internet connection

automatically

You can set up your router automatically, or you can use a web browser to access the

router and set up your router manually. Before you start the setup process, get your ISP

information and make sure that the computers and devices in the network are using

the settings described here.

When your Internet service starts, your Internet service provider (ISP) typically gives you

all the information needed to connect to the Internet. For example, for DSL service, you

might need the following information to set up your router:

•

The ISP configuration information for your DSL account

•

ISP login name and password

•

Fixed or static IP address setting (special deployment by ISP; this setting is rare)

If you cannot locate this information, ask your ISP to provide it. When your Internet

connection is working, you no longer need to launch the ISP login program on your

computer to access the Internet. When you start an Internet application, your router

automatically logs you in.

The NETGEAR installation assistant runs on any device with a web browser. Installation

and basic setup takes about 15 minutes to complete.

To use a web browser to set up your router’s Internet connection automatically:

1. Make sure that the router is powered on.

2. Make sure that your computer or mobile device is connected to the router with an

Ethernet cable (wired) or over WiFi with the preset security settings listed on the

label.

Note: When the router connects to the Internet, you are prompted to customize

the router’s WiFi network name and WiFi password. If you want to do so, use a wired

connection to avoid being disconnected when the new WiFi settings take effect.

You can also change the WiFi network name and WiFi password later.

3. Launch a web browser.

Your browser might display a security warning and might not let you proceed. You

can either ignore this warning or add a security certificate as described in the

following examples.

User Manual20Connect to the Router’s Network

and Automatically Set Up the

Internet Connection

Nighthawk AC2300 Cybersecurity WiFi Router Model RS400

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Netgear Nighthawk RS400, RS400 Cyber Security Router User manual

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